The Benefits of Music

Music helps with learning and in many other aspects of everyday life. Every child, especially LDS children, growing up needs to be in some sort of music program: for example, band, orchestra, choir or private lessons. Being involved helps them learn faster and become well rounded children. Music inspires people and lets them express their emotions. It is vital part of our lives as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Music enhances creativity and helps them learn and understand. Music Educators Journal, September, 2000 says, “On the 1999 SAT, music students continue to outperform their non-arts peers, scoring 61 points higher on the verbal portion and 42 points higher on the math portion of the exam.” There are many stories of this type of thing happening. People who play music often find patterns in problems that others would not notice. They come up with more creative and efficient ways to remember and find answers. Finding patterns—a common method musicians use—helps students with learning math, which is often one of the hardest subjects for students.

One argument that many make against learning how to play an instrument is that there is time taken out of class to learn that could be used for other subjects. However, United Musical Instruments USA, Inc., 1995 says, “A study showed student absence from class to study a musical instrument does not result in lower academic achievement.  They found no difference in academic achievement between sixth grade students who were excused from class for instrumental study and those who were not, matching variables of sex, race, IQ, cumulative achievement, school attended, and classroom teacher.” This study shows that even though these students took time out to go play the instrument, they can easily still keep up with the other students. 

It is obvious that learning how to play an instrument has no negative effect on the overall learning experience. In fact, it actually improves children’s learning abilities. It aids in brain functioning because playing music uses various brain functions at the same time. Hearing, sight, memory, and motor control are used every time you play an instrument. In Marching Band you must learn well how to memorize the pieces you play. If you don’t have your music memorized, it is hard to play and march at the same time. Multi-tasking is a skill that uses more of your brain. The year in high school that I didn’t do marching band was the hardest year for me to memorize because I did not have the practice that had had before.

This is my roommate at a talent show. She was playing a piece that she had memorized a few years before.

Because music helps with memory, teachers may make up songs to help memorize something. In one of my high school math classes we would make up songs to help memorize things. This technique made math so much easier for everyone in the class. Songs in primary also have a similar purpose. The songs teach basic doctrines in ways children can remember. I still have most of the Scripture Mastery memorized from Old and New Testament because our teacher used songs to help us memorize. On the other hand, for Book of Mormon and D&C we rarely used the songs and I barely remember them. If children were in a music class, the more they would turn to songs to help with memory like I did.

This is one example of a song made to help with memory-

Music has always been huge part of the LDS Church. It helps the Saints worship and inspires people to improve. “Music can set an atmosphere of worship that invites the spirit of revelation, of testimony.” President Boyd K. Packer said. I’m not saying that everyone needs to be perfect at singing but I do believe everyone should have the basic knowledge of the notes. Music classes teach you how to better stay with the beat and give you more confidence. If more people had some type of music lessons then many would not be as scared to sing in front of people.

Being in a band, orchestra or choir also gives you many leadership experiences. Having these leadership opportunities will help later in life when looking and applying for a job. It teaches children to be responsible for themselves and others. It also makes them work as a team.

Another reason it is important to learn how to play an instrument or to sing is that it helps us better understand ourselves. Being part of a choir or play an instrument helps children express their emotions as they grow up. It makes us appreciate the work that the artists put into a piece of music and recognize why so many people may love it. After taking a music class last semester my feelings about certain music changed drastically. I was able to better understand what the composer was trying to do and the feelings they were trying to convey to the listener.

Music is everywhere. We hear it almost constantly: in restaurants, on the street, in church and many other places. Some can’t study with out music. It is a useful tool that allows us to detach from the world and let us feel emotions that we otherwise could not. Happy songs can improve our mood and many even bring us to tears. It sparks imagination and helps us use both sides of the brain. Participating in a music group would not only help the musician, but also inspire children everywhere.